US20180213932A1 - Flexible bracket system for medical apparatuses - Google Patents

Abstract

A support device (10) forms a medical apparatuses bracket system and functions as a bracket system for medical apparatuses (12). The support device (10) includes a central vertical, or at least essentially vertical, column (14) and at least one tine (20) and optionally two or more tines (20). The tine (20) or tines (20) is/are oriented obliquely to a crossbeam (22) mounted on the column (14).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 ofGerman Application 10 2017 000 851.5, filed Jan. 31, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention pertains to a flexible bracket system for medical apparatuses, for example, for medical apparatuses in the form of medical supply units.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Such bracket systems are known per se and shelf spaces arranged above one another in a shelf-like manner are available for medical apparatuses or the like.
• One drawback of the prior-art bracket systems is that their shelf spaces are often broader than required, so that an unfavorably increased space requirement results for the bracket system overall. The fact that a shelf space of a bracket system is too small for a medical apparatus to be placed on it likewise comes into consideration, so that this medical apparatus either cannot be placed into the bracket system at all or does not stand securely there. In addition, at least the surfaces of the shelf spaces require regular cleaning, so that large shelf spaces lead to an increased cleaning effort and too large shelf spaces lead to an unnecessarily high cleaning effort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• An object of the present invention is to provide a bracket system that avoids at least some of the drawbacks outlined above.
• According to the present invention, this object is accomplished by means of a support device functioning as a bracket system for medical apparatuses. To this end, the support device comprises at least one tine and at least one crossbeam intended for mounting the tine on the column. The tine is oriented obliquely to the crossbeam mounted on the column. The support device comprises a central vertical or at least essentially vertical column.
• One advantage of the present invention is that a tine is narrow in relation to its protruding length and accordingly only forms a small surface to be cleaned. A medical apparatus, for example, can be suspended on such a tine. In case of a tine having a profile corresponding to a standard profile for mounting medical apparatuses or medical devices, a medical apparatus, for example, one for administering an infusion (drip), may be mounted on the tine and the standard profile thereof. In case of mounting a plurality of tines on the same crossbeam, especially in case of mounting tines in pairs on one crossbeam, these tines define a shelf space for a medical apparatus and this medical apparatus can be placed securely in the support device functioning as a bracket system, when this bracket system is positioned, for example, with its support feet or the like over the tines. In case of tines mounted in pairs, the resulting shelf space can be adapted accurately to the needed space requirement for a respective medical apparatus by means of tines spaced apart in a corresponding manner.
• Advantageous embodiments of the support device are described. These exemplary embodiments of the present invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of the drawing. Objects or components corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference numbers in all figures.
• The exemplary embodiment or each exemplary embodiment is not to be understood as a limitation of the present invention. Rather, variations and modifications of the concrete support device are possible within the framework of the present disclosure, especially such variants and combinations, which, for example, can be inferred by the person skilled in the art with respect to accomplishing the object by a combination or modification of some of the features described in connection with the general or specific part of the specification as well as contained in the claims and/or in the drawings and lead to a novel support device by means of combinable features.
• The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a support device for accommodating medical apparatuses, which is known per se, in principle;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing a support device with a shelf space formed by means of two parallel tines for a medical apparatus or the like;
• FIG. 3 is a lateral schematic view showing the support device according toFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a top view showing a plane of the support device according toFIG. 2 with tines spaced apart at different distances in comparison toFIG. 2;
• FIG. 5 is a top view showing a plane of the support device according toFIG. 2 with a greater number of tines;
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing tines of different lengths as well as crossbeams of different lengths;
• FIG. 7 is an end view showing a special embodiment of a tine with lateral limitations in an area of the support section thereof; and
• FIG. 8 is an end view showing another special embodiment of a tine with lateral limitations in an area of the support section thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Referring to the drawings, the view inFIG. 1 shows in a schematically simplified manner a support device1, which is known per se, in principle, for example, formedical apparatuses12 or the like. The support device1 comprises a central vertical or at least essentiallyvertical column14, forming, so to speak, the backbone of the support device1, on whichcolumn14 at least oneshelf space16, usually a plurality ofshelf spaces16 formedical apparatuses12 or the like is or are mounted. The term “medical apparatus”12 is used below as a generic term for apparatuses or equipment, which can be placed onto such ashelf space16, without doing away with a more extensive generality. In this connection, the apparatus may be, for example, a monitor, a ventilator, an anesthesia apparatus, etc., and generally apparatuses as they are used in a hospital, especially in an operating room.
• Thecolumn14 of the support device1 may be mounted (not shown), in principle, directly or indirectly on the ceiling, on the floor or on a side wall of a room, especially of an operating room or of a hospital room, in a building, usually in a hospital, in a manner known per se. The size of theshelf spaces16 may vary andshelf spaces16 with a corresponding area are mounted on thecolumn14 as needed.
• As outlined in the introduction, such a support device1 is not optimal because of the fixed size of eachindividual shelf space16. A too large (too broad and/or too deep)shelf space16 may lead to space problems in the area surrounding the support device1. In case of ashelf space16 that is too small for amedical apparatus12 to be placed onto the support device1, thisshelf space16 must be removed with corresponding expenditure of time and be replaced with alarger shelf space16 before theapparatus12 can be used. For complying with hygiene regulations, the entire surface of allshelf spaces16 has to be cleaned, with corresponding expenditure of time and corresponding consumption of cleaning agents, regardless of the actual space requirement formedical apparatuses12.
• FIGS. 2 through 8 show, likewise in a schematically highly simplified manner, embodiments of asupport device10 provided in different configurations and shown in different views.
• FIG. 2 shows a view of thesupport device10 from above (with a view axis along the longitudinal axis of the column14). It can be seen here that according to the central aspect of the innovation according to the invention one ormore tines20 come up to the location of ashelf space16 mounted on the column. Amedical apparatus12, which is shown in phantom line in the view inFIG. 2 (as well as inFIGS. 4 and 5 described below), indicating a borderline thereof as well as support foot positions thereof. Each support foot is placed onto one of thetines20, with themedical apparatus12 put down onto thesetines20. Thetines20 function as support arms or cantilevers. The designation astine20 is borrowed from the corresponding designation of the fingers/tines of a forklift fork and is used below as a brief and handy designation for the support arms or cantilevers of thesupport device10 according to the invention and as disclosed herein. As an alternative, the designation assupport arm20 orcantilever20 may be used instead of the designation “tine”20.
• The tine or eachtine20 is connected to thecolumn14 via acrossbeam22 mounted on thecolumn14. Thecrossbeam22 is usually oriented horizontally. The tine or eachtine20 is oriented obliquely to thecrossbeam22 and two ormore tines20 mounted on acrossbeam22 are usually aligned parallel to one another with their free ends.
• The view inFIG. 3 shows thesupport device10 in a lateral view. A possibility for mounting atine20 on thecrossbeam22 is shown here. Eachtine20 comprises asupport section24, which is usually oriented horizontally, and a connecting section intended for mounting on thecrossbeam22, which connecting section is configured in the embodiment described below as a suspendedsection26, because thetine20 with the suspendedsection26 is placed onto thecrossbeam22 and thetine20 is overall suspended with it on thecrossbeam22 in the embodiment shown inFIG. 3. The suspendedsection26 comprises the top side of thecrossbeam22 in a hook-shaped manner and is supported indirectly or directly on thecrossbeam22 in connection with the hook-shaped section. In the embodiment being shown, the suspendedsection26 is indirectly supported on thecrossbeam22, namely by means of an adjustingscrew28. The adjusting screw is an example of means for adjusting an inclination of thesupport section24 of thetine20 to the horizontal plane.
• In the embodiment shown, thecrossbeam22 has a cuboid cross section and the largest longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional area is oriented vertically or at least essentially vertically in the state mounted on thecolumn14. The suspendedsection26 is supported on the surface of thecrossbeam22 parallel with this longitudinal axis and facing away from thecolumn14. With the hook-shaped section, the suspendedsection26 is supported on the surface parallel with the short longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional area. Here, the hook-shaped section also extends behind thecrossbeam22, i.e., in an area between thecrossbeam22 and thecolumn14, and hereby is in contact in at least some sections with the surface of thecrossbeam22 facing thecolumn14.
• As an option, a position of thetine20 or of eachtine20 on thecrossbeam22 in the axial direction of thecrossbeam22 can be adjusted. In this connection, thetine20 or eachtine20 can preferably be freely positioned in the axial direction of thecrossbeam22, for example, by thetine20 being moved with its suspendedsection26 along thecrossbeam22. In this way, the position of thetine20 on thesupport device10 can be adjusted corresponding to the particular need. For example, a distance between twoadjacent tines20 mounted on acrossbeam22 can be adjusted corresponding to an area of amedical apparatus12 to be placed thereon and/or corresponding to a position of the support feet of thisapparatus12. Shelf spaces of a wide variety ofmedical apparatuses12 can be created in this manner with thesame tines20 in each case. In addition, the position ofmedical apparatuses12 placed on, for example, twotines20 may also be adapted in relation to a central longitudinal axis of thecolumn14. It is thus possible, for example, to place amedical apparatus12 centrally in front of thecolumn14 or laterally offset to thecolumn14. For example, an alternating arrangement of themedical apparatuses12 along the height of thecolumn14 thus also come into consideration (each offset in relation to the column on the left side and on the right side) in case of a plurality ofmedical apparatuses12 placed in thesame support device10.
• In the case of atine20 with a suspendedsection26 of the above-described kind, thetine20 can be detachably connected to thecrossbeam22 and hence may, for example, be mounted ondifferent crossbeams22 when thesupport device10 has a plurality ofcrossbeams22 along thecolumn14. For example, a vertical position of amedical apparatus12 to be placed in thesupport device10 can be determined in this way. The possibility of detachably connecting atine20 to acrossbeam22 is not limited to the above-described suspendedsection26. In the same way, for example, provisions may be made for thetine20 to be screwed to thecrossbeam22 for the detachable connection to thiscrossbeam22 and/or be inserted into a recess in thecrossbeam22 and the like.
• The detachable connectability of atine20 to acrossbeam22 also allows the use ofdifferent tines20, for example,tines20 of different lengths and/ortines20 with different load capacity, wherein for the latter thetines20 are, for example, manufactured from different materials (plastic, metal, etc.) and/or have reinforcing structures.
• As an option, at least onecrossbeam22 may also be detachably connected to thecentral column14, for example, by means of screwing to thecolumn14, insertion into a recess in thecolumn14, etc. This allows the use ofdifferent crossbeams22, for example,crossbeams22 of different lengths and/orcrossbeams22 with different load capacity.
• In this respect, the views inFIG. 4 andFIG. 5 show different configurations of a plane of thesupport device10 formed with at least twotines20 in each case in a top view of thesupport device10. In the situation shown inFIG. 4, compared to the view inFIG. 2, alonger crossbeam22 is mounted on thecolumn14. A distance needed for a comparatively widemedical apparatus12 can therefore be set between thetines20, which are adjustable, especially movable, in their position along thecrossbeam22. In the situation shown inFIG. 5, two pairs oftines20 are mounted on acrossbeam22, so that twomedical apparatuses12 can be placed in the same plane of thesupport device10. Withadditional tines20, more than twomedical apparatuses12 can also be placed in one plane.
• Of course, the configurations shown in the views inFIG. 2,FIG. 4 andFIG. 5 are only to be understood as examples and a variety of other configurations are possible with thesupport device10 proposed here and functioning as a bracket system formedical apparatuses12, wherein the ability of very extensively influencing the configuration of thesupport device10 precisely represents an essential advantage of the innovation proposed here and is the basis of the flexibility of the bracket system. In this respect, the view inFIG. 6 shows—only as an example—tines20 of different lengths andcrossbeams22 of different lengths. Amodular support device10, which can be adapted to nearly any application situation by mounting the particularly neededcrossbeam22 on thecolumn14 and by mounting the particularly neededtine20 on the crossbeam or acrossbeam22, is obtained with a number ofdifferent tines20 anddifferent crossbeams22.
• Finally, the views inFIG. 7 andFIG. 8 show special embodiments of atine20 in the area of thesupport section24 thereof. In each case, a cross section through thesupport section24 of thetine20 is shown. As can be seen, the surface of thesupport section24 is limited on both sides.
• In the embodiment according toFIG. 7,lateral limitations30, especially connected in one piece with the rest of the material of thetine20, in case of an impact on amedical apparatus12 placed in thesupport device10, prevent the support feet thereof from sliding down from the comparatively small shelf space of atine20 because of the impact.
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 8,standard rails32 function aslateral limitations32 for the mounting (attaching, clipping on, screwing on, etc.) ofmedical apparatuses12. Insofar as amedical apparatus12 likewise stands on such atine20, the standard rails32 likewise function as protection against a slipping out or even falling out of themedical apparatus12 from thesupport device10.
• Some of the prominent aspects of the specification submitted here can thus be briefly summarized as follows: Asupport device10 functioning as a bracket system formedical apparatuses12 is indicated, which supportdevice10 comprises a central vertical or at least essentiallyvertical column14 in a manner known, in principal, and is characterized by at least onetine20, optionally two ormore tines20, which is/are oriented obliquely to acrossbeam22 mounted on the on thecolumn14.
• While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
APPENDIXList of Reference Designations
• 1 Support device
• 10 Support device
• 12 Medical apparatus
• 14 Column
• 16 Shelf space
• 18 (blank)
• 20 Tine
• 22 Crossbeam
• 24 Support section (of a tine)
• 26 Suspended section (of a tine)
• 28 Adjusting screw
• 30 Lateral limitation
• 32 Standard rail (as lateral limitation)

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A medical apparatus support device for at least one medical apparatus, the medical apparatus support device comprising:

a central vertical or at least essentially vertical column;

a crossbeam mounted on the column; and

at least one tine connected to the crossbeam and oriented obliquely to the crossbeam.

2. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the at least one tine comprises at least two tines oriented obliquely to the crossbeam and aligned parallel to one another.

3. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the connection of the at least one tine to the crossbeam comprises an adjustable connection whereby a position of the tine on the crossbeam is adjustable in an axial direction of the crossbeam.

4. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 2, wherein the connection of each of the at least two tines to the crossbeam comprises an adjustable connection to adjust a position of each tine on the crossbeam in an axial direction of the crossbeam whereby a distance between two adjacent tines mounted on the crossbeam is adjustable.

5. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the connection of the at least one tine to the crossbeam comprises a detachable connection whereby the at least one tine is detachably connected to the crossbeam.

6. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the mount of the crossbeam on the column comprises a detachable mount, whereby the crossbeam can be detachably connected to the central column.

7. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 5, further comprising at least another crossbeam to provide a plurality of crossbeams, and at least another tine to provide a plurality of tines, wherein:

the plurality of crossbeams are of different lengths; or

the plurality of tines are of different lengths; or

the plurality of crossbeams are of different lengths and the plurality of tines are of different lengths.

8. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 6, further comprising at least another crossbeam to provide a plurality of crossbeams, and at least another tine to provide a plurality of tines, wherein:

the plurality of crossbeams are of different lengths; or

the plurality of tines are of different lengths; or

the plurality of crossbeams are of different lengths and the plurality of tines are of different lengths.

9. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the at least one tine further comprises a suspended section providing the connection of the at least one tine to the crossbeam for mounting the at least one tine on the crossbeam by the suspended section wherein the at least one tine is in contact in some sections with a top side of the crossbeam and is indirectly or directly supported on a lateral surface of the crossbeam.

10. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 9, wherein the tine comprises the support section and an adjustment means for adjusting an inclination of the support section of the tine relative to a horizontal plane.

11. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 8, wherein the crossbeam has a cuboid cross section and a largest longitudinal axis of a cross-sectional area of the crossbeam, in a state of the crossbeam mounted on the column, is oriented vertically or at least essentially vertically.

12. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 9, wherein the crossbeam has a cuboid cross section and a largest longitudinal axis of a cross-sectional area of the crossbeam, in a state of the crossbeam mounted on the column, is oriented vertically or at least essentially vertically.

13. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the at least one tine has lateral limitations.

14. A medical apparatus support device in accordance withclaim 13, wherein the lateral limitations each comprise a rail.

15. A medical apparatus flexible bracket system comprising:

a central vertically extending column;

a crossbeam mounted on the column, the crossbeam defining opposed clamping surfaces;

a plurality of tines oriented essentially obliquely to the crossbeam and aligned essentially parallel to one another, wherein each of the plurality of tines is connected to the crossbeam clamping surfaces by an adjustable and detachable connection whereby a position of each tine on the crossbeam is adjustable in an axial direction of the crossbeam and whereby each tine is detachably connected to the crossbeam.

16. A medical apparatus flexible bracket system in accordance withclaim 15, wherein the mount of the crossbeam on the column comprises a detachable mount, whereby the crossbeam can be detachably connected to the central column.

17. A medical apparatus flexible bracket system in accordance withclaim 16, further comprising at least another crossbeam to provide a plurality of crossbeams, wherein:

the plurality of crossbeams are of different lengths; or

the plurality of tines are of different lengths; or

the plurality of crossbeams are of different lengths and the plurality of tines are of different lengths.

18. A medical apparatus flexible bracket system in accordance withclaim 16, wherein each tine further comprises a suspended section providing the adjustable and detachable connection of each tine to the crossbeam clamping surfaces for mounting each tine on the crossbeam by the suspended section wherein each tine is in contact in some sections with a top side clamping surface of the crossbeam and is indirectly or directly supported on a lateral clamping surface of the crossbeam.

19. A medical apparatus flexible bracket system in accordance withclaim 18, wherein the tine comprises the support section and an adjustment means for adjusting an inclination of the support section of the tine relative to a horizontal plane.

20. A medical apparatus flexible bracket system in accordance withclaim 16, wherein each tine has lateral limitations.

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